The Difference Between Caregiving and Caretaking

December 28, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

How long have you been in a caregiving role?

When did you realize there’s something wrong with your relationship?

Caregiving is difficult at best. And in many cases, as more is required from you as a caregiver, the relationship you have with your loved one changes right along with it. What used to be loving, caring, nurturing, no longer is.

As things change, you might have repressed emotions and disregarded your own needs to focus on the needs of your loved one. That’s what we do; we step in and do what has to be done, especially when our loved one no longer can care for himself.

But what about you? Resentment builds. And a lack of internal focus and control means you start searching for external sources of validation and control. If you can’t get to the heart of what makes you you, you’ll find it in the only way you can.

That leads to caretaking instead of caregiving.

What’s the difference? [Read more…]

How To Get A Break From Caregiving

September 21, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

We all need a break once in awhile. Even the most beautiful place on earth grows tiring when you’re living in it day in and day out. It’s human nature to need a break.

But when something is difficult, the need to step away becomes even more needed. Caregiving is difficult at best. If you don’t take some time for yourself, rest, relax, and give yourself some breathing space, you’ll pay the consequences down the road.

Respite care is about giving yourself that much needed break. Options for respite care range from family and friends helping out for a short time period to formal contracts with in home caregivers. Here are a few tips to help give you the backup you need.

Respite Care Option #1: Family and Friends

Family and friends often work together to see their loved one through the caregiving process. You’ll get the break you deserve and they will get much needed time with a favorite relative or an old friend. It’s also the easiest to find. Ask the person you are caring for who they miss the most or who they would like to spend more time with. Then reach out to them and ask if they are willing to lend a hand. Be specific about the requirements while you are away. [Read more…]

Living Life To The Fullest With Senior Concierge

August 17, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

Humans are creatures of habit. We live our lives on schedule, repeating our actions again and again.

So often seniors are forced to give up the things they enjoy most in their lives because their bodies can’t keep up.

For instance, your dad may enjoy his weekly poker game with friends. But his arthritis prevents him from the typical tasks it takes to ready his home when it’s his turn to host, and he’s nervous about driving outside of his local neighborhood.

Or perhaps your mom enjoys her weekly exercise classes but no longer feels comfortable driving at night. Her schedule is too complicated to work into your routine, and you’re both becoming more anxious about her driving after dark.

The ability to continue with weekly activities greatly improves the quality of life. A person’s happiness and well-being depend on doing what we enjoy doing.
[Read more…]

Spring Cleaning For Caregivers – Did You Remember?

February 23, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

The concept of spring cleaning was born many years ago, when our houses weren’t as secure and well built. Spring cleaning was a way of removing the dark, sooty grime that built up from using candles, kerosene lamps and wood stoves throughout the winter.

Even though our heating practices are much safer and secure in today’s world, the idea of spring cleaning is still engrained in our society. The idea of bringing fresh, clean air into our homes is exciting. Putting away blankets and quilts and making room for beach towels instead can bring instant gratification.

Even as we age, we can benefit from spring cleaning throughout our homes. And as a caregiver, spring cleaning can shed light on how your loved really is doing.

Cabinets, drawers, and files

Start with the desk. If your loved one has a computer, help them organize files and photographs. Check email and clean out inboxes. You can also delete items in the trash. [Read more…]

Fighting Loneliness: Why It Matters To Your Health

December 8, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

At least that’s what the songs on the radio tell us. But for many seniors, it’s anything but. This bustling time of the year is now filled with melancholic reflections and hours of solitude. The children have grown up and moved away. Friends are getting older. People are simply “doing their thing.” And the pile of party invitations and holiday cards gets shorter every year.

Maybe we should change the tune to: It’s the loneliness time of the year.

Expectations are highest this time of year, thanks in part to holiday music and ideal family movies. Doesn’t everyone have the perfect family that does everything together this time of year? It’s easy to think you’re the only one that feels isolated.

And loneliness can also be more. Rather than just being a response to the current happenings, it can also be a profound reminder of emotional experiences and traumas from long ago; triggers that remind you of things you’d rather not remember.

Avoid Media

Jump onto Facebook and you’ll see everyone living in perfect situations. The news shares stories of how we’re doing everything together. The last thing you need when you’re feeling melancholy is to have everyone else’s “happiness” splashed in your face. Avoid it. Pull out your favorite movies instead. Read a book. Or phone a friend. In most cases, avoiding the holidays can help you stay more positive throughout the season. [Read more…]

Nutrition Tips: Stay Hydrated and Eat More Protein

September 7, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Want to know what keeps more seniors sick and unhealthy? It’s their diets.

Good nutrition means staying hydrated and getting the proper amount of nutrients each day, including enough protein. And unfortunately, that’s where many seniors go wrong.

Yes, it may be difficult to eat when you’re not hungry. Many seniors also take a variety of medicines that can reduce appetite and taste.

And yes, it may be even more difficult eating alone. Especially if you’ve been used to cooking for two for many years.

But as a caregiver, it’s important to watch your loved one’s diet and make sure intake is where it should be each day.

If you’ve ever visited the doctor with your loved one, you’ve probably heard him or her say things like “increase your hydration” or “consume more protein” as a recommendation, especially after prescription changes or with changes in health. But rarely do they give advice on what that truly means. They rarely help you understand why and how to do this. [Read more…]

It’s Time For A Yearly Checkup: What A Senior Should Have Every Year

June 22, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Annual checkups. It’s something we get used to from the time we’re born.

Every year we head to the doctor’s office for a routine visit. We expect certain things to take place. And while that changes over time, it’s always a good idea to monitor things over time. But do we actually do it every year? And even if you go in, are the right tests being performed?

Yearly visits can help find certain conditions early. And with early intervention, it can help your loved one remain healthier over time. Medicare covers many of the tests that should be done each year; check with your plan.

Some tests should be completed on a yearly basis. Depending on certain symptoms you may be exhibiting, having a yearly comparison is a great way to see if things are changing, to find areas of concern. These tests include: [Read more…]

Vitamin, Mineral and Over-The-Counter Safety Guide

June 1, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Are you worried your loved one isn’t getting the right nutrients every day?

Are they getting weaker? Are they tired throughout the day? Do they sleep irregularly?

No matter what our age or level of activity, we all need a healthy supply of nutrients every day. Calorie intake should go down, but the level of nutrient dense foods, the vitamins and minerals we take in are still needed.

It’s true that the best way we can take in all we need is through nutritious foods. But that’s not always possible. Often, seniors have a very difficult time eating enough foods to meet the daily requirements. Which is why many seniors and caregivers turn to supplements.

But what forms of vitamin and mineral supplements are appropriate? What do you need to know before you make your first purchase and open up that first bottle?

Read all labels and follow the dosing instructions. Just because you can purchase them at your favorite local store doesn’t mean they can’t do more harm than good. You can overdose on certain nutrients, and some minerals can be toxic when taken in excessive amounts.

Be sure to buy from a reputable source. Supplements do not have the same level of regulation as prescription medication. Some supplements may come from unreliable sources that do not provide what they say they are. Do your research.

Be aware of everything in the supplement you choose. Many manufacturers use fillers or ingredients such as sugar or artificial colors that some seniors can’t tolerate. [Read more…]

Caring and Caregiving: How To Benefit From Alternatives

November 17, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

Caring and Caregiving

From the moment your loved one was diagnosed, you’ve been feeling the pressure. You consistently take on more work. Your days are busier than ever. You can’t even imagine the last time you had a break.

Take care of yourself? Yeah, right. There aren’t enough hours in the day. Doctors’ visits. Appointments. Running around. Daily tasks. And that’s all before you get into the stuff you need to do … things like working eight hours a day, taking care of your family, taking care of you.

It’s fairly easy to see which of those tasks will get left behind.

After all, you have to make sure everyone else is taken care of. Others needs become more important than your own.

Or are they?

When our lives change, we experience stress. When we face situations new to us, we become overwhelmed. When we face the great unknown, it begins impacting us and all of those around us in a very big way.

And it’s understandable.

Traditional medicine says to treat the source of the problem, yet leaves little guidance for all else. So if your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s for example, traditional medicine begins providing medicine to counter the symptoms and potentially slow the process.

But what about alternatives? [Read more…]

7 Nutrition Myths We Believe About Aging

September 22, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

“Mom doesn’t eat the way she used to.”

We hear comments like that all the time. As a person ages, their eating habits change. And while it’s easy to justify it in your mind that it’s merely a symptom of aging, and our bodies don’t require the same caloric intake they once did, the fact is we still require high quality, healthy foods in order to survive.

Certain food myths have become engrained in our society. And while some of them may seem to make a lot of sense, they are simply not true. A body needs quality, healthy foods every day. Have you fallen into one of these traps?

Myth #1 People lose their appetite as they age

While it’s true people don’t need as much food as they age because energy typically decreases, a loss of appetite is not normal. If your loved one consistently says they aren’t hungry and avoids meal times, it may be a sign of a more serious problem. It may be a decrease sense of taste, or dental problems that make eating painful. If you notice quick changes in weight or a decreased pattern of wanting to share in mealtime, a visit to the doctor may be in order. [Read more…]